VA hires Kansas hospital chief to run SORCC

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has reached into the private sector to find a new director for its Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City.

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By Paul Fattig

MailTribune.com

By Paul Fattig

Posted Jan. 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 11, 2013 at 2:15 AM

By Paul Fattig

Posted Jan. 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jan 11, 2013 at 2:15 AM

» Social News

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has reached into the private sector to find a new director for its Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinics in White City.

Dan Burman, the director of the Heartland Surgical Specialty Hospital in Overland Park, Kan., will assume the helm of SORCC on Feb. 11.

He replaces former director Max McIntosh, who retired early last April after 39 years with the VA.

An interim director has been serving in the post.

SORCC provides health care to more than 16,000 veterans and has an annual operating budget of nearly $90 million. It has a staff of about 550, along with some 500 volunteers.

"We are excited to bring Mr. Burman on board as the new director of the SORCC," said Larry Carroll, of the VA's regional office in Vancouver, Wash., in a prepared statement on Thursday.

"His sound leadership qualities and proven experience will be valuable assets for the VISN, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly for the veterans we are honored to serve," he added. VISN refers to the agency's Veterans Integrated Service Networks.

An Air Force veteran, Burman has been director of Heartland Surgical since May 2009. During his tenure, he acquired one spine and orthopedic practice, one primary care practice and assumed the management of one ambulatory surgery center.

He also reduced operating expenses at the hospital by 15 percent, saving the institution approximately $2 million, according to the VA.

While Burman directed the facility, it was recognized by Press Ganey as a leader in patient satisfaction for three years.

The group Women Preferred recognize it as a facility of distinction, while the Becker group cited it as one of the top 50 hospitals in the nation during the period under his leadership, according to the VA.

Burman also served as chief executive officer for Pinnacle Healthcare LLC in Crown Point, Ind., from 2006-08. Before that, he was the CEO for Orthopedic Hospital of Oklahoma from 2000-05.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Trinity University in Texas, and a master's degree in health administration from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo.

SORCC is the VA's only free-standing rehabilitation center. The 450-bed facility serves as a regional and national resource and has outreach clinics in Grants Pass and Lakeview.

The facility was built in 1942 as Camp White to train soldiers during World War II.